Ben Davis is bringing some major-league marketing experience to the Muskegon Lumberjacks.

Davis, 30, was named the United States Hockey League club’s director of marketing/ticketing. He is moving this weekend to Muskegon and will assume his duties on Monday.

“I cut my teeth in Major League Baseball,” Davis said. “I knew once I got started in this, I wanted to make it a career.”

Davis spent two seasons with the Cleveland Indians (2007, 2008). He also worked one season for the Tampa Bay Rays (2006).

He’s also been involved with professional lacrosse teams, a professional soccer team and the Arena Football League.

“It’s definitely been a crazy ride, to say the least,” Davis said.

Davis, who is moving here from Florida, began his college career at Hagerstown Community College in Maryland then graduated from Western Kentucky University, where he played Division 1 baseball. He continued his education at Armstrong Atlantic State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in criminology.

He began is career as a police officer in Savannah, Ga. before getting into marketing and ticket sales with the Indians.

“He’s certainly very professional with his major league experience,” Lumberjack owner Josh Mervis said. “We hope that translates into success for us. We’re bringing in a guy who has worked with major league teams and that speaks of the organization we’re trying to build here in the USHL.”

Davis has a goal once he gets to Muskegon.

“I want to meet every single fan in Muskegon,” he said. “I understand there are some hard feelings this is not professional hockey, but we really hope we can reach out to these people. We are going to run this like an NHL franchise and treat people the right way.”

Notes* Mervis is excited about the prospect of his team playing its first preseason game on Sept. 10 at Joe Louis Arena.

“We want to be Michigan’s team with Michigan players,” he said. “And to think you’re going to the center of Hockeytown, the home of Howe, Yzerman and Lidstrom. It’s going to be a blast and a terrific opportunity for our players.”

The Jacks will face the Chicago Steel, one of the more experienced teams in regards to the number of returning players from last year’s team.

* Lumberjack players will report on Aug. 29 and begin off-ice training and testing until the ice is put down the following week at L.C. Walker Arena.

* Renovations are moving right along at Walker Arena. The dressing room has been painted and the air flow has been improved greatly. The coach’s office has been painted and is awaiting new furniture. The new business office will be completed in the next couple days and the weight room and players’ lounge are taking shape.

The old scoreboard is down and the hoist that will support the new scoreboard is scheduled to arrive early next week.

“I believe in this market and it was time for an update of this building,” Mervis said.